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Christmas festival 2013

Christmas at Kew 2013 (this event has now ended)

During Christmas 2013 we opened our doors after dark for the very first time, taking visitors on a magical journey along an illuminated trail through the Gardens. The Christmas at Kew event ran from 28 November 2013 to 4 January 2014, and with its boutique market and Victorian carousel offered festive fun for all the family.

Illuminated trail

Visitors were able to follow an enchanting mile-long illuminated trail through the Gardens, interacting with the light, sound and landscape. From the delicate and twinkling to the grand and spectacular, Kew’s much loved landmarks were brought to life as never seen before.

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The Christmas village

The Christmas village, located at Victoria Gate, included fairground rides, a grotto and a Christmas market that was a unique collaboration with creative taste-makers, We Make London, and local designer/maker craft traders.

What the press said about Christmas at Kew

'The Botanical Gardens has unveiled its first Christmas illuminations and they were utterly magical' The Telegraph

'London's most festive lights extravaganza' The Guardian

'Hundreds of torches create a huge circle of fire in the awe-inspiring shape of a Mandala' Daily Express

Christmas at Kew was presented by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Raymond Gubbay Ltd, one of the UK’s leading entertainment producers. The illuminated trail was created by specialist outdoor event producers, Culture Creative.